The influence of temperature and photoperiod on the timing of brood onset in hibernating honey bee colonies.

ABSTRACT: In order to save resources, honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the temperate zones stop brood rearing during winter. Brood rearing is resumed in late winter to build up a sufficient worker force that allows to exploit floral resources in upcoming spring. The timing of brood onset in hibernating colonies is crucial and a premature brood onset could lead to an early depletion of energy reservoirs. However, the mechanisms underlying the timing of brood onset and potential risks of mistiming in the course of ongoing climate change are not well understood. To assess the relative importance of ambient temperature and photoperiod as potential regulating factors for brood rearing activity in hibernating colonies, we overwintered 24 honey bee colonies within environmental chambers. The colonies

SUBMITTER: Nurnberger F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5971834 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature